Staten Island Chuck, a groundhog residing at the Staten Island Zoo, has a reputation for being the most reliable weather forecaster in the US, boasting an 85% accuracy rate compared to Punxsutawney Phil's 39%. This article delves into Chuck's success, comparing his track record with other groundhogs across the country and exploring the history and traditions of Groundhog Day.
Every year on February 2nd, Americans across the country look to an unlikely source for their long-range weather forecast : a groundhog. The most famous of these furry meteorologists is Punxsutawney Phil, but for New York ers, the real star of the show is Staten Island Chuck . With one of the best accuracy rates in the nation, Chuck has built a reputation as the most reliable groundhog in the game.
So, how accurate is Groundhog Day, really? And how does Chuck stack up against his competitors? While many groundhogs make predictions, few can match Staten Island Chuck’s track record. Officially known as Charles G. Hogg, Chuck resides at the Staten Island Zoo, where he has been forecasting the weather since 1981. Over the past two decades, Chuck has achieved an 85% accuracy rate, placing him ahead of all other U.S. groundhogs, including Punxsutawney Phil, whose accuracy lags at 39%. Chuck’s predictions are based on whether he sees his shadow at the zoo’s annual Groundhog Day ceremony. In 2024, he forecasted an early spring, aligning with Phil for the first time in years. This marked the ninth consecutive year Chuck failed to see his shadow – a streak that has made many New Yorkers hopeful for milder winters. Across the U.S., various groundhogs vie for meteorological supremacy. Here’s how Chuck measures up to some of his competitors: Staten Island Chuck (NY): 85% accuracy General Beauregard Lee (GA): 80% accuracy Lander Lil (WY, Prairie Dog Statue): 75% accuracy Malverne Mel (NY): 55% accuracy Holtsville Hal (NY): 50% accuracy Punxsutawney Phil (PA): 39% accuracy Despite Phil’s long history – dating back to 1887 – he has been far less reliable than his New York rival. Other local forecasters, like Malverne Mel and Holtsville Hal on Long Island, have had mixed results, making Chuck the clear frontrunner for New Yorkers seeking a reliable Groundhog Day forecast. Groundhog Day has been a staple of American folklore since 1886, when Punxsutawney, Pennsylvania, hosted the first recorded ceremony. According to tradition, if the groundhog sees its shadow, winter will last for six more weeks; if no shadow appears, spring will arrive early. Over the decades, dozens of groundhogs – and even a few alternative weather-predicting animals – have joined the annual forecasting festivities. New Yorkers eager to witness Chuck’s annual forecast can attend the Staten Island Zoo’s Groundhog Day ceremony on Sunday, February 2, 2025
GROUNDHOG DAY WEATHER FORECAST STATEN ISLAND CHUCK Punxsutawney PHIL ACCURACY NEW YORK TRADITION FOLKLORE
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